Immigration is a new chapter in one's life, a chapter with unexpected events that can take one's life down paths different from the one imagined. This film is an autobiographical account of the director's experience with immigration.

Interview with Writer/Director/Producer Naghmeh Farzaneh

Congratulations! Why did you make your film?

Scent of Geranium is an autobiography about the challenges, fears, unexpected events and adaptation process that I experienced after my immigration. I wanted to capture a series of memories and events that were significant to me and that have affected me in a certain way as an immigrant.

Imagine I’m a member of the audience. Why should I watch this film?

Many of these memories and experiences are very common among immigrants, no matter their nationality, age or the destination country. The world we live in today is a true global village. We live in a world where all of us, no matter where we live, know at least one person who has immigrated at some point in their life. For that reason, I strongly believe that, for those who haven’t experienced immigration, it is important to know the challenges and consequences an immigrant faces on a daily basis. This film is also a message to those who have had this life changing experience that they are not alone, that all immigrants have been challenged by these experiences on different levels, forms and situations.

Scent of Geranium

How do personal and universal themes work in your film?

I have always been interested in creating works that are in a way a reflection of my surroundings,the society I live in, my personal life and experiences and my interactions with people around me. When I started Scent of Geranium, it was important to me to make a film that many people with different life experiences and from different parts of the world would relate to. I wanted to make a film that would not be limited to a specific time or ethnic group. I read autobiographies from immigrants, I talked to my international friends, and even people who immigrated when they were six years old. And then, when I started writing my memories, I realized we all have so much in common. These were my memories, but I knew that other people have also had similar experiences.

How have the script and film evolved over the course of their development and production?

The script and the direction of the film changed a lot from the start to the finishing point. When I was trying to figure out the narration of the film, many of my doubts and confusions unfolded and got resolved. I really started to think about every memory after my immigration and why it was joyful or why it brought me so much pain and sometimes anger that I still could feel it after five years. After a while, I got to a point where it was not about the memories anymore, it was about the feelings and the long-term effect they had on me. A box of Baklava that was on a Thanksgiving table was not just a dessert, but a sign of acceptance and being welcomed in a culture. It was a thought from someone who hadn’t even met me yet but made me feel welcome and at home as a guest.

What type of feedback have you received so far?

The most rewarding part of my film has been the feedback! In the past year I have received many emails empathizing with the story. Every time I have attended a screening there have been people who came to me afterwards to share their stories with me and to tell me that they have had the same challenges with homesickness, the hardship of speaking a second language as the only way of communication, and the pressure of being an outsider. Some people shared their funny and unexpected cultural encounters with me. In a few cases, Americans told me they too feel the rush of anxiety when they are in the line to order a sandwich.

Scent of Geranium

Has the feedback surprised or challenged your point of view?

I was very surprised with how younger audiences connected with the film. I never thought my audience would be teenagers or younger, or the topic would be something they would be interested in.

What are you looking to achieve by having your film more visible on www.wearemovingstories.com?

Unfortunately, we are living in a time when immigrants are being looked at as aliens. Every immigrant I know, including myself, loves our homeland. At the same time, we work to grow love and appreciation for our newly adopted home. An Immigrant accepts the burden and challenges and hardship of immigration out of necessity: a search for a better life, for better opportunities, opportunities an immigtant would never have in their own country. I want to share my experiences and feelings not only with those who have experienced the consequences of immigration but also with those who have never migrated .

Who do you need to come on board (producers, sales agents, buyers, distributors, film festival directors, journalists) to amplify this film’s message?

I think any humanitarian groups or organizations, international groups, or any distributor who wants to be a platform for human rights and to support immigrants would be a great step to educate more people about the consequences and hardship of immigration.

What type of impact and/or reception would you like this film to have?

Empathy is the impact I am hoping for.

Scent of Geranium

What are the key creatives developing or working on now?

I have started a series of collaborative animation/installation projects with my friend, Samantha Burns. We had our first show called Day by Day at the 621 Gallery in Tallahassee, Florida which is now being presented at the Electronics Alive IX located at University of Tampa, Florida. This project is an effort to show that, although on the surface cultures and people seem so different from one another, at their deepest levels they share vital commonalities.

We Are Moving Stories embraces new voices in drama, documentary, animation, TV, web series and music video. If you have just made a film - we'd love to hear from you. Or if you know a filmmaker - can you recommend us? More info: Carmela

Immigration is a new chapter in one's life, a chapter with unexpected events that can take one's life down paths different from the one imagined. This film is an autobiographical account of the director's experience with immigration.

Length: 4’:41”

About the writer, director and producer:

Naghmeh Farzaneh is an Iranian animator and filmmaker based in Rochester, New York.

Made in association with:School of Film and Animation at the Rochester Institute of Technology